Faith, Works and Grace

[Universalist Catholic]

These matters seem to cause alot of Controversy amongst Theologians.  Some believe that we can only avoid eternal Hell if we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.  Others believe that you must not committ any sins.  Others believe that you must believe the correct Dogma.  Others believe you have to confess your sins through specific rituals.  Others believe you have to work for salvation.  However the scriptures do talk about repentance, sinlessness, good works, and faith in Jesus. 

I think what they are confusing is Grace with salvation.  Grace being a means of Salvation.  However there is absolutely nothing we can do to recieve Grace.  Abraham did not earn Gods grace when he was chosen to be the seed of Salvation.  No one earned Jesus sacrifice on the cross.  So grace appears to be the energy enabling faith, good works and defeating sin.  So esentially all people are in Gods grace, but at different levels for different people.  Many people who claim that you can only recieve Gods grace if you accept certain dogmas, participate in certain rituals, recite a sinners prayer, choose to be "Born again", confess your sins to a priest, or completely conquer sin, then you recieve Gods grace.  All that does is create some type of Legalism, and a spirit of self righteousness, that they chose salvation where everyone who did not do it their way did not earn it while they did.  With accepting the correct dogma or being sinless, you have several contradicting factors.  Very few, if anyone has found sinlessness.  Not everyone can overcome sin easily, or within their lifetime for many reasons.  Probably few can achieve sinlessness before they reach their deathbed.  So how much grace is there if we can only recieve it if we meet some very difficult almost impossible standards?  Then there is the problem of accepting the correct dogmas of the right church.  Thats a pretty tough task considering how many denominations are out there all claiming to be the truth.  Then theres that single task that very few actually achieve.  You performed some act, but never overcame sin.  But the act gave you a freepass into heaven.  Saying a rosary, going to confession, last rites, deathbed conversion, being "Born again", reciting the sinners prayer, joining a certain church, ect.  However the act may have been approved, but the sins are still there, and to them, your sins are magically poofed away while those who didnt are stuck in hell forever because they didnt do that one work.  Either way, conquering sin, or believing the correct doctrine as means of avoiding eternal punishment merit no justice. 

So grace is the process in which enables us to overcome sin, know Jesus and reach infinite potential in good works.  Salvation is having overcome sin, and being able to confess Jesus as savior.  And it does not happen necessarily on our schedules and beyond death. 

[shawn]

I think you make some terrific points.  Grace allows relationship, and through relationship we find peace, joy, patience, kindness which are fruits of the spirit.  It's in an overflow from that relationship that everything else originates.  Faith without works is dead.  What does this mean?  It means while we are not saved by works, it is a natural extension and progression of faith.  Faith that is dead will not produce good fruit.

[WhiteWings]

I would like a long list of verses proving faith/salvation is a gift.

Most (all?) agree salvation is a gift. But most believe we can reject the gift. Or we have to work to keep the gift.
I see such statements in many thread on other forums.
Anyone got such a list?